The Safe Zone program was implemented by the Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee as a way to welcome and support individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community at Lake Land College and the surrounding area.
The primary purpose of this fund is to be able to provide immediate assistance to LGBTQIA+ students at Lake Land College who find themselves in an unsafe situation. Funds will also be used to help transgender students at Lake Land College with legal name changes to help protect their identity.
Requests that are urgent in nature will be prioritized. These funds are not intended to be used for routine expenses or as a consistent supplement to a student’s education funding sources.
Be aware, if your request is approved, funds are disbursed from the fund to the provider, not directly to the student. A maximum award of $500 may be given per approved applicant in that semester. Additional funds may also be available through the Lake Land College Emergency fund if a student’s situation qualifies. Funding is only available during the semester the student is enrolled, and the student may only apply ONCE per semester.
For more information regarding the LGBTQIA+ Reserve Fund, contact:
Kim Hunter at: khunter@lakelandcollege.edu or Marcy Satterwhite at: msatterw@lakelandcollege.edu
Download the application and return it to Kim Hunter or Marcy Satterwhite for consideration.
A Safe Zone is a safe place in which all individuals are encouraged and reassured they can be their authentic selves and feel safe, welcomed and included. These are areas on and around campus where supportive faculty and staff can provide information and work toward the elimination of myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes. Those who have participated in this training will receive a Safe Zone sticker or window cling to display in their area.
Those who participate in the training are not required to self-identify as a Safe Zone member. Participants are welcome even if they are only interested in information. Participation will not be disclosed without the participant’s consent.
Ally:
Advocate:
*Note: This does not mean you must have all the answers, rather it means you are someone who is willing to help find them.
Trainer:
Contact Mercury Bowen at mbowen@lakelandcollege.edu with questions or to schedule Safe Zone training.
Learn how to provide a safe space at Lake Land College for your LGBTQIA + classmates/friends.
“Anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity can be an ally. Allies are some of the most effective and powerful voices of the LGBTQIA+ movement. Not only do allies help people in the coming-out process, they also help others understand the importance of equality, fairness, acceptance and mutual respect.” – glaad.org
Throughout this training, students will learn why there is an important need for being an ally, discussed in sections 1 and 2, and how to be an ally, discussed in section 3.
Those who complete the training will receive a “Safe With Me” sticker to place on their belongings in an effort to spread awareness about the program and the need for allyship.
This program is sponsored by the Lake Land College PRIDE Club; Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee and Student Activity Board.
Those interested in the Lake Land College Student Pride Club can contact Marcy Satterwhite at msatterw@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5359.
The UP (Uniting Pride) Center of Champaign County is a multi-service agency, for youth and adults, with a purpose to support and promote human care, education, and community-building activities directed at furthering the well-being and development of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and ally community of Champaign County. Visit their website for more information, or call them at 217-550-4248.
The Right and Wrong Questions to ask a Transgender Person
Pride Flags Guide and Histories
Donate to the Lake Land College LGBTQIA+ Reserve Fund to Help Students in Need.
Make A One-Time DonationChoose “other” and then type in “LGBTQIA+ Reserve” to direct your donation to this fund.
This fund can provide immediate assistance to LGBTQIA+ students who find themselves in an unsafe situation. Funds will also be used to help transgender students with legal name changes to help protect their identity. (it currently costs around $450 to legally change your name in Illinois)